The National University System was established in 2001 to meet the emerging challenges and demands of education in the 21st century. The System is uniquely aligned to connect a diverse population of students to a network of innovative educational programs that are relevant to their lives, careers, and the marketplace and are delivered in a format that respects competing life priorities.

A history of the U.S. health care delivery system will be explored to understand the current issues and trends. The changing roles of the components of the system as well as technical, economic, political, and social forces effecting change will be discussed. Inpatient, outpatient, and long term care will be explored.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:

Discuss the historical developments that have shaped the U. S. health care system.

Compare and contrast health care in other countries and the United States.

Discuss the human and non human resources that drive the process of health care delivery.

Discuss the training, practice requirements and practice setting of various types of health services professionals.

Discuss the factors influencing the dissemination, regulation, and utilization of technology in health care delivery.

Examine the impact of technology on quality of care, quality of life, health care costs, access to care, and structure of health service delivery.

Differentiate between the concepts of group insurance, self-insurance, individual insurance, managed care, Medicare, Medicaid, and Veterans and Indian health services.

Discuss the key problems and issues in health care financing.

Differentiate between in-patient, out patient, ambulatory, long term and primary care.

Compare and contrast the different modes under which health maintenance organizations are organized and the advantages and disadvantages of each model.

Discuss health services for special populations such as racial/ethnic minorities, the uninsured, women, children, rural populations, mental health, chronically ill and disabled, and people with HIV/AIDS.

Discuss the outcomes of the health care system in terms of cost, access, quality, and the policy issues surrounding these outcomes.

Discuss the outlook for health care services in the future.

Students with Disabilities:
Students seeking special accommodations due to a disability must submit an application with supporting documentation, as explained under this subject heading in the General Catalog. Instructors are required to provide such accommodations if they receive written notification from the University.

Writing Across the Curriculum:
Students are expected to demonstrate writing skills in describing, analyzing and evaluating ideas and experiences. Written reports and research papers must follow specific standards regarding citations of an author's work within the text and references at the end of the paper. Students are encouraged to use the services of the University's Writing Center when preparing materials.

The following website provides information on APA, MLA, and other writing and citation styles that may be required for term papers and the like: http://nu.libguides.com/citations

National University Library:
National University Library supports academic rigor and student academic success by providing access to scholarly books and journals both electronically and in hard copy. Print materials may be accessed at the Library in San Diego or through document delivery for online and regional students. Librarians are available to provide training, reference assistance, and mentoring at the San Diego Library and virtually for online or regional students. Please take advantage of Library resources:

Use the Library Training Tools (on the Library Homepage) for additional help

Recorded class presentations

Tutorials & Guides (APA/MLA, Peer-Review, and more)

Plagiarism:
Plagiarism is the presentation of someone else's ideas or work as one's own. Students must give credit for any information that is not either the result of original research or common knowledge. If a student borrows ideas or information from another author, he/she must acknowledge the author in the body of the text and on the reference page. Students found plagiarizing are subject to the penalties outlined in the Policies and Procedures section of the University Catalog, which may include a failing grade for the work in question or for the entire course. The following is one of many websites that provide helpful information concerning plagiarism for both students and faculty: http://www.indiana.edu/~wts/pamphlets/plagiarism.shtml

Ethics:
Ethical behavior in the classroom is required of every student. The course will identify ethical policies and practices relevant to course topics.

Technology:
Students are expected to be competent in using current technology appropriate for this discipline. Such technology may include word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software. Use of the internet and e-mail may also be required.

Diversity:
Learning to work with and value diversity is essential in every class. Students are expected to exhibit an appreciation for multinational and gender diversity in the classroom.

Civility:
As a diverse community of learners, students must strive to work together in a setting of civility, tolerance, and respect for each other and for the instructor. Rules of classroom behavior (which apply to online as well as onsite courses) include but are not limited to the following:

Conflicting opinions among members of a class are to be respected and responded to in a professional manner.

Side conversations or other distracting behaviors are not to be engaged in during lectures, class discussions or presentations